National water agency PUB will inject 30 million gallons per day (mgd) of NEWater into Singapore reservoirs next week to maintain our reserves at healthy levels.
In a Facebook post, Environment Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan said this is an increase of 5 mgd from the 20 — 25 mgd of NEWater that has been released into reservoirs since mid-January, when the unusually dry phase of the Northeast Monsoon began.
Responding to queries on the dry spell’s impact on water security, Dr. Balakrishnan explained Singapore’s major investments in NEWater and desalination over the years have helped diversify sources of water supply, thus strengthening our water security.
PUB has been running our desalination and NEWater plants at close to full capacity. The two desalination plants meet 25% of our water needs with a combined output of 100mgd.
Dr. Balakrishnan added that global climate change has made the weather more erratic, and that the dry spell is not a first for Singapore — the last time we experienced a similar period was in early 2010.
In spite of the healthy ability to meet water demand, he has urged SIngaporeans to continue practising good water-saving habits and avoiding wastage.
